Vascular Plant... What Is It? All of the plants on this website are vascular plants which by definition have highly specialized tissues (a tissue is a group of cells working together to carry out a specialized function) which are organized into specialized organs called roots, stems, and leaves. The organs all contain the internal vascular system and are connected to one another by the system. The internal vascular system is composed of xylem and phloem.
Different combinations of tissues make up the organs of a vascular plant. In vascular plants, four types of tissues may be found: vascular tissue, ground tissue, dermal tissue, and meristematic tissue.
Below is a picture of the plant structure followed by descriptions.
Leaf Primorida- a group of cells that will develop into a leaf, seen as small bulges just below the shoot apex. Shoot Apex- The topmost part of the shoot. Leaf- a lateral structure attached to a stem and functioning as a principle organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in most plants. Axillary Bud- a bud that is born at the axil of a leaf and is capable of developing into a branch shoot or flower cluster. Stem- a slender stalk supporting or connecting another plant part such as a leaf or flower. Lateral Root- Lateral roots extend horizontally from the primary root and serve to anchor the plant securely into the soil. Primary Root- Roots that develop from the crown, otherwise known as the first root.
Vascular Tissue- The tissue in higher plants that constitutes the vascular system, consisting of phloem and xylem, by which water and nutrients are conducted throughout the plant. Ground Tissue- Ground tissue is less differentiated than other tissues. Ground tissue manufactures nutrients by photosynthesis and stores reserve nutrients. Dermal Tissue- Tissue that covers a plant.
Stamen- The male fertilizing organ of a flower, typically consisting of a pollen-containing anther and a filament. Carpel/Pistil- The female reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of an ovary, a stigma, and usually a style. It may occur singly or as one of a group. Locule- Each of a number of small separate cavities, esp. in an ovary. Receptacle- an enlarged area at the apex of a stem that bears the organs of a flower or the florets of a flowerhead.